Antonio Conte's team attacked from the outset and Pogba had an early opportunity, but fired wide of the left upright from distance.

Madrid had their first chance in the ninth minute when Ronaldo ran half the length of the pitch and into the area before unleashing a shot which fizzed just past the left post

The visitors again went close moments later when the world's most expensive player, Bale, won a challenge with Martin Caceres for the ball but his tame effort was comfortably saved by Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Juventus should have scored in the 16th minute when Pogba's cross was almost turned into his own net by Pepe, but Iker Casillas managed to save at point blank range. Although he spilled the ball, no one could take advantage and the danger was cleared.

The Italian side went closer shortly before the 30th and Claudio Marchisio seemed almost certain to score with a header, but Casillas did brilliantly to deflect it past his right post with his leg.

Madrid was camped out in its own half and reduced to trying to hit Juventus on the counter-attack. Bale went close when he curled a shot narrowly past the far corner.

Juventus broke the deadlock when Varane slid into Pogba and referee Howard Webb pointed straight to the spot. Vidal stepped up and fired into the top right corner to send Juventus Stadium into a frenzy.

Ronaldo had a chance to equalise on the stroke of half time but spooned his effort horribly over the crossbar as he was bumped by team-mate Karim Benzema.

It was the Portugal star who leveled seven minutes after the interval, chipping Benzema's through-ball over the onrushing Buffon for his eighth goal in this season's group stage, matching the record held by Ruud van Nistelrooy, Filippo Inzaghi and Hernan Crespo.

Madrid almost took the lead four minutes later but Xabi Alonso's screamer crashed off the crossbar.

It was end to end action in Turin and Marchisio again went agonisingly close with an effort which beat Casillas, but was cleared off the line by Pepe.

Madrid, which had lost its past five matches against Juventus in Turin, went in front on the hour mark. Ronaldo picked out Bale on the far side of the penalty area and the Welshman squeezed a shot in between two Juventus players and into the bottom right corner.

However, Juventus was back on level terms just five minutes later when Llorente headed Caceres' cross powerfully past Casillas' outstretched hand.